Castle Drogo
Castle Drogo is known as ‘England’s last castle’, and is the only grade 1 listed 20th century building in Devon. Sitting on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, it was commissioned by Mr Drewe, a successful Victorian tea merchant. It was built entirely from granite by Lutyens, the foremost architect of his day.
In 1878, Drewe established one of the world’s earliest supermarkets, then sold his shares for a cool £1million and retired at 33 to concentrate on building his mock castle. Lutyens employed some clever devices to give the impression that the 100-room castle was truly medieval. For example, in the library, the bookcases were built to look as if they were forced into a medieval arch. In fact, they were made at same time.
Unfortunately, even though Lutyens warned him against it, Drewe insisted on an authentic castle flat roof, which led to a number of problems with the damp Dartmoor climate. However, the castle has just undergone a £12million restoration project, and so the time is ripe for your visit! For refreshment, take advantage of the unusual Drewe Arms pub in the nearby village of Drewesteignton, or the comforting fayre a little further down the country lane at the Sandy Park Inn.